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Hepatocyte growth factor is associated with progression of atherosclerosis: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Elizabeth J Bell1, Paul A Decker2, Michael Y Tsai3

  • 1Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.

Atherosclerosis
|April 3, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Higher levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) are linked to increased atherosclerosis progression, including coronary artery calcium and carotid plaque. This finding highlights HGF as a potential biomarker for cardiovascular disease risk.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Biomarker Discovery
  • Medical Research

Background:

  • Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has been previously linked to cardiovascular diseases like stroke and atherosclerosis.
  • The study investigates the association between circulating HGF levels and the progression of atherosclerosis measures.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if higher circulating HGF levels are associated with greater progression of coronary artery calcium (CAC) and carotid plaque.
  • To explore HGF as a potential clinical biomarker for cardiovascular disease.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) cohort.
  • Measured HGF at baseline and followed participants for up to 12 years for atherosclerosis progression.
  • Employed mixed-effects models and relative risk regression, adjusting for confounding variables.

Main Results:

  • Each standard deviation increase in HGF was associated with a 2.9 Agatston units/year greater CAC progression (p < 0.0001).
  • The association between HGF and CAC progression varied significantly by race/ethnicity (p=0.003).
  • Each standard deviation increase in HGF was linked to a 4% higher risk of new or additional carotid plaque (p=0.005).

Conclusions:

  • Elevated circulating HGF levels are significantly associated with accelerated atherosclerosis progression.
  • HGF shows promise as a valuable clinical biomarker for identifying individuals at higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
Abstract

Keywords:
AtherosclerosisCardiovascular risk factorsCarotid plaqueCoronary artery calciumHepatocyte growth factor

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